A few nights ago I came across the blog, "Tacky Christmas Yards." This is a great blog, in my opinion! You can check it out at http://tackychristmasyards.com. According to the site, the creators receive all kinds of hate mail. I, however, think they deserve an award.
Here in Deary, we have our share of tacky yards, Christmas and otherwise. I may receive my own fair share of hate mail for this, but really, if your holiday decor costs more than your car, you have some priority issues, to say the least!
Here's an idea: there should be another blog that catches yards where holiday decorations are left up all year long. You know what I'm talking about, every small town neighborhood has at least one house where the lights are up all year long. They aren't turned on, just hanging from the gutters and over the fence. Seriously people, if you're going to put them up the least you can do is take them down sometime before the 4th of July! Mine are coming down tomorrow.
As for tacky yards in general, is it really that hard to remove your old car after it no longer runs? There are cars here in town that haven't moved for the past 2 years, at least. If you have to mow around it, and the grass next to it is taller than the tires, perhaps it's time to consider a trip to the junk yard.
One last thing while I'm on the subject of cars: If you have so many cars or so much junk that you can't park them all in your driveway, you have either too many cars or too much junk. (duh, you couldn't figure that out for yourself???) For the rest of us who keep our driveways clear, consider cleaning yours! When the road in front of your house is down to one lane, and people must drive by to get to their own houses, perhaps you could move something out. All it takes is a little effort to clean things up.
I like living here, I just don't like the town looking like no one cares enough to try. There are those of us who work hard to keep our lawns mowed, our driveways cleared, and our weeds pulled. I have a business and 3 kids, so if I can find timne you should too. Follow the example and exert some effort. No one wants to look at your junk!
Saturday, January 12, 2008
The Quilt Wagon
In my earlier post I mentioned Monte's latest project, currently occupying more than it's fair share in our garage. A friend of Monte's got an old 2wd pickup that doesn't run, and they've decided to make a trailer out of it. That's right, we are now officially hill billies, old pickup bed trailer and all! The guys think it's the greatest thing ever, and their already planning on where they'll use it first.
It's such a red neck cliche to have a trailer made out of an old pickup! It's even a lovely color of mustard brown, commonly found in diapers. So, I asked Monte the other day if he knew how back woods his trailer is, and now he's acting all offended like I've insulted his masterpiece. He even named it the "ghetto wagon." Then, yesterday, he tells me that he and his friend have a new plan since I like their trailer so much. They're going to paint it up like a quilt and let me use it to go to quilt shows. He thinks this is rather clever, I think I will pass!
It's such a red neck cliche to have a trailer made out of an old pickup! It's even a lovely color of mustard brown, commonly found in diapers. So, I asked Monte the other day if he knew how back woods his trailer is, and now he's acting all offended like I've insulted his masterpiece. He even named it the "ghetto wagon." Then, yesterday, he tells me that he and his friend have a new plan since I like their trailer so much. They're going to paint it up like a quilt and let me use it to go to quilt shows. He thinks this is rather clever, I think I will pass!
Friday, January 11, 2008
Fabric for the Holidays
Yesterday I got to preview the new Moda fabric lines for NEXT Winter. That's right, they are already talking about next Christmas!!! There are some great new fabrics, which will arrive in May and June. I haven't decided yet what to get, but it is sure to be a hard decision!
In the store already I have Valentine's fabrics and 4th of July! Both lines are by Sandy Gervais, who is one of my favorite designers. I love the 4th of July fabric, so bright and cheery! It's nice to think about hot weather and sunshine when we are having such miserable weather here right now.
In the store already I have Valentine's fabrics and 4th of July! Both lines are by Sandy Gervais, who is one of my favorite designers. I love the 4th of July fabric, so bright and cheery! It's nice to think about hot weather and sunshine when we are having such miserable weather here right now.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
More Snow
The night before last, we received over 6 inches of new snow. Monte gets up around 4am to go to work, and he was less than excited about it! First, our power was out, so his boots weren't dry and his coffee wasn't made. Then, I left our big broom at the quilt shop, so he couldn't use it to brush all the snow off his pickup. (If his latest project wasn't taking up 1/2 the garage, he wouldn't have to worry about it! More on that later.) So, it didn't start off to be a good day for Monte.
The kids were home from school, which was actually great. I didn't have to peel them out of bed, since they suddenly want to sleep in whenever it's a school day. They had a great time playing in the snow all afternoon, and I actually got some quilting done!
I also plowed our driveway, so Monte didn't have to when he got home after 6:00. Since our blade isn't on our 4wheeler, I had to ride my Dad's across town. What a cold ride, since I didn't bring gloves or a hat! After I warmed up, I put my winter clothes on and plowed the driveway. So, when Monte gets home he says, "Who plowed our driveway, your dad?" "I did!" I reply, slightly annoyed. Then he has the nerve to say, "Well, you didn't do too bad." Seriously, would it kill him to give a real compliment, how about a simple "thanks"? What does that mean, anyways, "too bad" as opposed to what? Really bad? It's snowing again today, already several new inches. Maybe I'll plow all the snow to his side this time....
The kids were home from school, which was actually great. I didn't have to peel them out of bed, since they suddenly want to sleep in whenever it's a school day. They had a great time playing in the snow all afternoon, and I actually got some quilting done!
I also plowed our driveway, so Monte didn't have to when he got home after 6:00. Since our blade isn't on our 4wheeler, I had to ride my Dad's across town. What a cold ride, since I didn't bring gloves or a hat! After I warmed up, I put my winter clothes on and plowed the driveway. So, when Monte gets home he says, "Who plowed our driveway, your dad?" "I did!" I reply, slightly annoyed. Then he has the nerve to say, "Well, you didn't do too bad." Seriously, would it kill him to give a real compliment, how about a simple "thanks"? What does that mean, anyways, "too bad" as opposed to what? Really bad? It's snowing again today, already several new inches. Maybe I'll plow all the snow to his side this time....
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Preparing Quilts for Quilting
I quilt so many quilts, that I've seen just about everything! One thing about long-arm quilting, as soon as I pin the quilt onto the machine, it is obvious how well the quilter kept seam allowances, attached borders, and pieced backing. Especially when borders and backing are not done with care, it can create problems with quilting. Usually, these problems are not obvious unless you are hanging the quilt as a wall hanging, or when you are attaching binding. However,I feel that if you are going to take the time to make the quilt, why not finish it properly?
The biggest problem with quilt tops is the borders. I know it's a pain, it took me years to get into the habit, but you MUST measure and cut your borders to length BEFORE you sew them to the quilt center! Otherwise, without even knowing it, the border will be eased onto the quilt, causing it to be slightly longer than the middle of the quilt. Since the border is too long, although it may look like it fits just fine, there will be extra fabric around the perimeter of your quilt. In some cases, your borders can be 1 or 2 inches too long, causing puckers and unsquare corners on your quilt! (not to mention a headache to quilt) This applies whether you are quilting it yourself or sending it to a quilter for finishing. So, measure your quilt center and cut your borders to fit. Also, using a walking foot will help prevent the bottom fabric from easing too much as you sew it.
Another pet peeve of mine is leaving the selvage on your backing! I know it is easier, I know if makes a nice straight line to sew together, but DON'T DO IT!!! The selvage is there to finish the edge of the fabric so it doesn't fray. The selvage is not stretchy like the fabric, and when it is pieced into the back, even as a seam allowance, it does not allow the seam to stretch like the rest of the backing. When this happens, the quilt back cannot be properly tightened on the quilting machine because stretching the rest of the back would rip out the seam on the selvage. This means your quilt will not lay as nicely, it may have puckers or folds in the backing, and it will just not be as nice.
It is really not hard to remove the selvage before piecing the back. If you don't prewash (like me) you can just keep the fabric as it comes off the bolt, fold it over lengthwise enough times to make it manageable, lay it on your cutting mat, line the ruler up square with the edge, being careful to remove all the selvage, and rotary cut it away. This will leave you with a nice straight edge, and prevent the selvage from messing up your quilt. If you do prewash, just iron your fabric and then follow the same steps.
OK, I'm done lecturing you for now. Hopefully you learn something! I would post a picture of what I'm talking about, but I'm not sure anyone would like me to use their quilt as an example. Of course, mine are always perfect, right? :-)
The biggest problem with quilt tops is the borders. I know it's a pain, it took me years to get into the habit, but you MUST measure and cut your borders to length BEFORE you sew them to the quilt center! Otherwise, without even knowing it, the border will be eased onto the quilt, causing it to be slightly longer than the middle of the quilt. Since the border is too long, although it may look like it fits just fine, there will be extra fabric around the perimeter of your quilt. In some cases, your borders can be 1 or 2 inches too long, causing puckers and unsquare corners on your quilt! (not to mention a headache to quilt) This applies whether you are quilting it yourself or sending it to a quilter for finishing. So, measure your quilt center and cut your borders to fit. Also, using a walking foot will help prevent the bottom fabric from easing too much as you sew it.
Another pet peeve of mine is leaving the selvage on your backing! I know it is easier, I know if makes a nice straight line to sew together, but DON'T DO IT!!! The selvage is there to finish the edge of the fabric so it doesn't fray. The selvage is not stretchy like the fabric, and when it is pieced into the back, even as a seam allowance, it does not allow the seam to stretch like the rest of the backing. When this happens, the quilt back cannot be properly tightened on the quilting machine because stretching the rest of the back would rip out the seam on the selvage. This means your quilt will not lay as nicely, it may have puckers or folds in the backing, and it will just not be as nice.
It is really not hard to remove the selvage before piecing the back. If you don't prewash (like me) you can just keep the fabric as it comes off the bolt, fold it over lengthwise enough times to make it manageable, lay it on your cutting mat, line the ruler up square with the edge, being careful to remove all the selvage, and rotary cut it away. This will leave you with a nice straight edge, and prevent the selvage from messing up your quilt. If you do prewash, just iron your fabric and then follow the same steps.
OK, I'm done lecturing you for now. Hopefully you learn something! I would post a picture of what I'm talking about, but I'm not sure anyone would like me to use their quilt as an example. Of course, mine are always perfect, right? :-)
Monday, January 7, 2008
Creative Punishment
Several years ago, when my 2 youngest kids went through a biting phase, we used tobassco sauce to cure it. Now, don't go sending me hate mail and turning me in for abuse just yet! It was only the tiniest of drops, they got a drink right away, and it only took once! It was one of the most effective disciplines ever, and did away with the biting immediately! Well, lately all 3 kids have taken to calling eachother names like "poop head" and saying "Ah poop" when something doesn't go their way. So, of course, I broke down and threatened to break out the tobassco again if they wouldn't stop. And now, here's why creative disciplines can be dangerous.....
Sunday, while the kids and I were in town, we stopped at Starbucks. (Yes, I still occassionally support my espresso competition!) While ordering, Will was admiring the packages of cookies at the register, and asked if we could get one. When I said no, he said "Ah pooey!" Quickly realizing his mistake, he says very loudly, "Am I going to get tobassco Mom?" Trying to difuse the situation I quickly say "No," to which he replys quite loudly, "But Mom, I said poop! Am I going to get tobassco?" The girls were giggling behind me, the guy behind the counter was laughing, and even I couldn't help myself, despite the fact that I look like a child abuser, and my kid just shouted "poop" in the middle of Starbucks!
Moral of the story? Choose your punishments carefully!
Sunday, while the kids and I were in town, we stopped at Starbucks. (Yes, I still occassionally support my espresso competition!) While ordering, Will was admiring the packages of cookies at the register, and asked if we could get one. When I said no, he said "Ah pooey!" Quickly realizing his mistake, he says very loudly, "Am I going to get tobassco Mom?" Trying to difuse the situation I quickly say "No," to which he replys quite loudly, "But Mom, I said poop! Am I going to get tobassco?" The girls were giggling behind me, the guy behind the counter was laughing, and even I couldn't help myself, despite the fact that I look like a child abuser, and my kid just shouted "poop" in the middle of Starbucks!
Moral of the story? Choose your punishments carefully!
Just Shoot Me Now!
Monday's are my day off from the quilt shop, but most days I don't get any more done than a normal business day. Today was no different! After a depressing visit to the dentist it was off to the quilt shop. How was the dentist? It's better you don't ask, trust me. My poor 5 year old daughter has 4 cavities! My kids eat healthy, don't drink soda, and brush 2x every day, with my help, and this is how it is every time we visit the dentist. I think Dr. Sowle will be retiring on what he's made from my family! Needless to say, I am several hundred dollars poorer than I was this morning!
To top things off today, I received some new patterns I had ordered. Great, sounds like fun, right? Well, considering my list of projects already, it's torture! The cutest wall hangings from a pattern designer called Country Lore came, so now I have to make my list even longer. Thus, the "Just shoot me now" title!
To top things off today, I received some new patterns I had ordered. Great, sounds like fun, right? Well, considering my list of projects already, it's torture! The cutest wall hangings from a pattern designer called Country Lore came, so now I have to make my list even longer. Thus, the "Just shoot me now" title!
Sunday, January 6, 2008
New lists on my blog!
I played around a lot with my blog this weekend, and I found the option to post lists and surveys. I thought it would be fun, and maybe help me stay organized (somewhat) if I listed my quilting projects. Hopefully, you will be able to watch as projects move from the "next decade" list to the "currently working on" list! I also added a fun survey, which will change about every week or so.
I braved the town of Moscow today to visit Walmart and find a cord for my treadmill. Wish me luck! Monte is under the house right now hooking up the internet cable in the room where my treadmill is, so I can test out my cord. He's so nice to help me out! (or maybe he just doesn't want a fat, out of shape wife!)
I am busy tonight preparing for the week. I have orders to prepare to ship, quilts to quilt, and kids to prepare for a return to school. I just promised to quilt a small quilt by next Sunday. No big deal, right? Well, except for the queen size quilt I just pinned on the machine. I guess I'll be finishing it a little quicker than I had planned on!
Hopefully this turns out to be a good week, the verdict will come tomorrow morning as I take my youngest two to the dentist! For the sake of my checkbook, I am praying for the best. However, if they inherited my teeth, I will likely be broke by Monday afternoon!
We will probably end this evening by watching some more of the Planet Earth series, which Santa was thoughtful enough to bring Bailey for Christmas. I continue to be amazed by this series. Yes, it is beautiful because of the footage of Earth, but what's even more amazing is that my 3 kids actually watch it, the entire 45 minutes/section, with relatively little talking, fighting, and squirming! If you have a chance to see it, you should. Anything that can tame my kids is miraculous indeed!
I braved the town of Moscow today to visit Walmart and find a cord for my treadmill. Wish me luck! Monte is under the house right now hooking up the internet cable in the room where my treadmill is, so I can test out my cord. He's so nice to help me out! (or maybe he just doesn't want a fat, out of shape wife!)
I am busy tonight preparing for the week. I have orders to prepare to ship, quilts to quilt, and kids to prepare for a return to school. I just promised to quilt a small quilt by next Sunday. No big deal, right? Well, except for the queen size quilt I just pinned on the machine. I guess I'll be finishing it a little quicker than I had planned on!
Hopefully this turns out to be a good week, the verdict will come tomorrow morning as I take my youngest two to the dentist! For the sake of my checkbook, I am praying for the best. However, if they inherited my teeth, I will likely be broke by Monday afternoon!
We will probably end this evening by watching some more of the Planet Earth series, which Santa was thoughtful enough to bring Bailey for Christmas. I continue to be amazed by this series. Yes, it is beautiful because of the footage of Earth, but what's even more amazing is that my 3 kids actually watch it, the entire 45 minutes/section, with relatively little talking, fighting, and squirming! If you have a chance to see it, you should. Anything that can tame my kids is miraculous indeed!
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